New features would include a concourse around Joker Marchant Stadium.

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11:44 p.m.

LAKELAND | Spring training at Tiger Town may take on a new look in a few years.

Lakeland city officials and the Detroit Tigers are considering another round of multimillion-dollar improvements to the complex that has seen a series of upgrades over the years.

A 360-degree concourse would allow fans to walk around Joker Marchant Stadium during a game. Additional canopies and reconfigured seating will provide more shade. A new air-conditioned gift shop will allow fans to cool off on a hot March day. Upgraded minor league facilities would provide more up and coming players the opportunity to play year-round.

The new features will be presented to city commissioners at 10 a.m. Friday at a workshop at City Hall. Bill Tinsley, the city's liaison to the Tigers, will brief the commission on a preliminary report from HKS Architects, a Dallas firm hired in June for the renovations.

Tinsley retired as the city's parks and recreation director, and his new position was created in 2012 to retain the Tigers. The Tigers' contract with the city ends in 2016.

Tinsley said this week he did not know how much the new upgrades will cost. However, he told The Ledger last year that the facility will need $20 million to $30 million in upgrades. Tinsley will make a presentation on the renovations and their cost in late February.

Tinsley said he wants to find funding for the renovations this year. Construction could begin in 2014.

"The funding won't be in place until we've agreed on a concept," Tinsley said. "If you don't do it now, you'll end up competing against other cities and states for the Tigers' interest."

Ron Myers, director of Florida operations for the Tigers, did not return phone calls or emails for comment.

The city, county, state and Tigers will each contribute to the upgrades. Currently, the city pays $350,000 a year on its part of the debt for the 2001 renovations.

That money comes from 15 percent of ticket sales at games, parking revenue and concession sales at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The county is paying $2 million over 15 years for the renovations. The county's portion comes from a portion of a bed tax, which is a levy imposed by the county on hotel stays.

Nick Gandy, whose job as director of communications for Florida Sports includes promoting spring training, said the governor is attempting to set up a recurring funding program that uses matching city and county funds.

In the past, state lawmakers have approved the funding for cities.

"When leases come up and communities and teams have needs, we can assist them with that," Gandy said.

Gandy said he hopes that the state will make that method available in the next couple of years when contracts expire for Lakeland and other cities.

The 2001 renovation to the facility built in 1966 included more seats, wider aisles, new restrooms, the addition of the berm (the grassy slope beyond the fence in left field), a new concession courtyard and seating for the handicapped.

A 360-degree concourse would be the biggest change to Tiger Town.

Currently, the berm stops in left/center field and a clubhouse prevents fans from walking behind the wall in right field. Tinsley said the berm could be extended around the outfield with a deck and a bar. The scoreboard would be moved behind the new concourse.

He doesn't expect the capacity of the stadium to increase from about 9,000. The Tigers have been a popular draw. In 2012, Joker Marchant broke a record with nearly 135,000 people coming to the stadium. Tinsley said he expects as many people this year.

"They've got a real product on the field right now," Tinsley said. The Tigers made it to the World Series in 2012.

Other plans include:

Increasing the amount of shaded seating for fans. Currently, only 15 percent of the seats are shaded, Tinsley said.

Building an air-conditioned gift shop. "Right now, when it's 85 degrees on a March afternoon there isn't a place to cool down."

Adding artificial turf to one of the practice fields, making it usable in November, December and January.

Fans who were buying tickets at the stadium Tuesday liked the proposed plans.

Richard Montgomery, 81, of Lakeland, especially liked the idea for more shaded seating. He bought four tickets, but wanted one for a game with the New York Yankees on March 23.

"They sold out of the shade (for the Yankees)," Montgomery said. "I'm all for more shade, especially for us old people."

Margaret Yeager, who spends winter and spring in Lakeland, bought two tickets for two games. Yeager, 70, also will only sit in the shade during games.

She said she'd like to see more shade for people who sit on the berm.

[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]

<p>LAKELAND | Spring training at Tiger Town may take on a new look in a few years.</p><p>Lakeland city officials and the Detroit Tigers are considering another round of multimillion-dollar improvements to the complex that has seen a series of upgrades over the years.</p><p>A 360-degree concourse would allow fans to walk around Joker Marchant Stadium during a game. Additional canopies and reconfigured seating will provide more shade. A new air-conditioned gift shop will allow fans to cool off on a hot March day. Upgraded minor league facilities would provide more up and coming players the opportunity to play year-round.</p><p>The new features will be presented to city commissioners at 10 a.m. Friday at a workshop at City Hall. Bill Tinsley, the city's liaison to the Tigers, will brief the commission on a preliminary report from HKS Architects, a Dallas firm hired in June for the renovations.</p><p>Tinsley retired as the city's parks and recreation director, and his new position was created in 2012 to retain the Tigers. The Tigers' contract with the city ends in 2016.</p><p>Tinsley said this week he did not know how much the new upgrades will cost. However, he told The Ledger last year that the facility will need $20 million to $30 million in upgrades. Tinsley will make a presentation on the renovations and their cost in late February.</p><p>Tinsley said he wants to find funding for the renovations this year. Construction could begin in 2014.</p><p>"The funding won't be in place until we've agreed on a concept," Tinsley said. "If you don't do it now, you'll end up competing against other cities and states for the Tigers' interest."</p><p>Ron Myers, director of Florida operations for the Tigers, did not return phone calls or emails for comment.</p><p>The city, county, state and Tigers will each contribute to the upgrades. Currently, the city pays $350,000 a year on its part of the debt for the 2001 renovations.</p><p>That money comes from 15 percent of ticket sales at games, parking revenue and concession sales at Joker Marchant Stadium.</p><p>The county is paying $2 million over 15 years for the renovations. The county's portion comes from a portion of a bed tax, which is a levy imposed by the county on hotel stays.</p><p>Nick Gandy, whose job as director of communications for Florida Sports includes promoting spring training, said the governor is attempting to set up a recurring funding program that uses matching city and county funds.</p><p>In the past, state lawmakers have approved the funding for cities.</p><p>"When leases come up and communities and teams have needs, we can assist them with that," Gandy said.</p><p>Gandy said he hopes that the state will make that method available in the next couple of years when contracts expire for Lakeland and other cities.</p><p>The 2001 renovation to the facility built in 1966 included more seats, wider aisles, new restrooms, the addition of the berm (the grassy slope beyond the fence in left field), a new concession courtyard and seating for the handicapped.</p><p>A 360-degree concourse would be the biggest change to Tiger Town.</p><p>Currently, the berm stops in left/center field and a clubhouse prevents fans from walking behind the wall in right field. Tinsley said the berm could be extended around the outfield with a deck and a bar. The scoreboard would be moved behind the new concourse.</p><p>He doesn't expect the capacity of the stadium to increase from about 9,000. The Tigers have been a popular draw. In 2012, Joker Marchant broke a record with nearly 135,000 people coming to the stadium. Tinsley said he expects as many people this year.</p><p>"They've got a real product on the field right now," Tinsley said. The Tigers made it to the World Series in 2012.</p><p>Other plans include:</p><p>Increasing the amount of shaded seating for fans. Currently, only 15 percent of the seats are shaded, Tinsley said.</p><p>Building an air-conditioned gift shop. "Right now, when it's 85 degrees on a March afternoon there isn't a place to cool down."</p><p>Adding artificial turf to one of the practice fields, making it usable in November, December and January.</p><p>Fans who were buying tickets at the stadium Tuesday liked the proposed plans.</p><p>Richard Montgomery, 81, of Lakeland, especially liked the idea for more shaded seating. He bought four tickets, but wanted one for a game with the New York Yankees on March 23.</p><p>"They sold out of the shade (for the Yankees)," Montgomery said. "I'm all for more shade, especially for us old people."</p><p>Margaret Yeager, who spends winter and spring in Lakeland, bought two tickets for two games. Yeager, 70, also will only sit in the shade during games.</p><p>She said she'd like to see more shade for people who sit on the berm.</p><p> </p><p>[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]</p>